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Thursday, April 28, 2011

where I went? I was so busy the week before Easter finishing quilts and getting ready for my trip to Virginia I just didn't have time to post. I did, however, take a little time just for me and made this

I appliquéd! Yes, it is raw edge which may be "cheating" for some but I like it. I found the pattern for the floral design on the internet (but don't remember where). I thought about adding stitches for dimension but decided against it. I outline quilted the design with two rounds of stitching and then I stippled (small meander) the pillow top to make the design "pop" a bit. The appliqué is secured with a blanket stitch. So far, two pillows from scraps and I still have bags of pastel scraps to make more!

While I was in Virginia for Easter I spent a lot of time with these people

and an inordinate amount of time with this guy

Returning home was difficult and I miss my grandchildren (and their parents!) more than they will ever know. I think I will console myself with some studio therapy this weekend. I have some pretties on my cutting table!!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

As I mentioned yesterday, my sister and I went shopping - in just about the nastiest, wet weather I have ever encountered. It was a good day to be a duck and that is just about it! We went to Joann's, a couple of thrift stores and my favorite quilt shop. I couldn't find any white ironstone at the thrift stores and I am being very selective about what I drag into the house so that was a bust. We did, however, score big at Joann's and were there for hours. Everything I purchased was at least 50% off so the "hunt" was fun and the sales transaction didn't make me clutch my chest.

See the pattern on the far right? I am going to make my great-nieces dresses for their birthdays in May. I found lots of clearance items for Hazelnut Deux and found some colored needles which will, I hope, mean I don't loose them as easily.

I picked up a few pieces that I needed at Burkholder's. It always seems that I don't have the fabric I need in my stash. (That is my story and I am sticking to it!) The two pieces on top are to finish the Mother's Day gift I started for my mom. The back piece is a beautiful piece of Moda that is sort of eggplant/dark plum. I have no idea when or where I am going to use it but it was on clearance and it called my name.

Today I am pulling together more scraps and old pieces of fabric to make more pillow covers for my living room. I decided to raw edge appliqué one of them so as soon as I have it all stitched together I will share photos. This may take a while because I am appliqué challenged!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

I got home from work a little later than I anticipated (it's time consuming looking for the perfect bottle of wine!) and then a friend started sending texts and that took more time away from the studio. Finally I got upstairs about 7:30. This is what I nearly finished

The only thing I have left to do is quilt the outside borders and bind it.

The focus fabric has the appearance of appliqué and I chose colors from that for my polka dot (LOVE) pieced blocks. A friend at my office ordered this one for a baby shower she is attending the first of May. The parents decided not to find out the sex of their baby so they have requested neutral colors. I think this fabric works for boy or girl.

My quilty sister has been out of town for a week so we are spending the day together. We will be driving all over Lebanon and Lancaster Counties today. On the list are thrift stores, 2 quilt shops, Joann's, (maybe) Hobby Lobby, AC Moore and Michaels. That's a lot of shopping so I had better go get dressed!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Yesterday I was reading Bonnie Hunter's blog and saw a tea wallet that someone had made for her. I thought to myself, "Hmmm - how hard would that be to make?" This morning at 0 dark 30 I got out of bed and made this

Bonnie's folds up differently but this is kind of like a credit card holder I make so I just changed the dimensions a little. Cute, fast and easy. I fused some batting to the outer cover and did a little stipple quilting just to give it some texture and weight. I put the button on with a six ply piece of embroidery floss. It is an easy method to put on a decorative button and holds up great. The best thing is that I was stumped as to what to make for my middle sister's birthday. I dug through my decaf tea bags and filled this one so her "made" gift is finished. (Now I just have to find the "buy" gift!)

I took this photo in my dining room at 6am this morning. My "backdrop" is part of my tea pot collection. I have these three for Easter. (Just showing you my pretties!)

Time for a shower and getting ready for work. It is raining like crazy right now and I really would like to spend the day at home. I am so tempted....

Monday, April 11, 2011

Time for the Friday Night Sew In! I have 2 things I need to do and 2 things I want to do. Guess which one will win out? (Y'll know I have absolutely no discipline!) I just ordered some fabric that should arrive by Thursday. I saw a quilt I want to try to make - no directions, just cut and hope for the best. You may want to check back here on Saturday just to see what I am making.

Click on the button and sign up. You can sew in your jammies (with or without an adult beverage) and it is fun to see everyone's projects.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

In my post the other day, I mentioned that I had been distracted the prior week. My son, Chad, had been in San Diego for the national convention of AAHPERD (Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). Chad is on a couple of committees and was a presenter so he was there for the entire week. On Wednesday the final portion of the NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education) selection process for teachers of the year was taking place. Chad was the Southern Region teacher of the year so he was in competition with teachers in 4 other regions of the country. Lesson plans, videos of him teaching and all the recommendations were submitted. It came down to the interview. Chad didn't sleep and I didn't sleep. We talked on Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon just before the interview and then again on Wednesday evening. He felt it had gone pretty well and was confident that he answered their questions to the best of his ability. Then the waiting began. The awards (teachers of the year for elementary (Chad), middle school and high school) were being announced at the final dinner. Since there was a 3 hour time delay, I told him to call regardless of the hour just to let me know one way or the other. Just before midnight, I received a text from Amy, Chad's wife. "He did it!" (I think I will keep that text for a very long time.)

Sunday, April 3, 2011

I have spent most of the last week away from the sewing machine so I felt like I needed to get some sewing done yesterday. I finished quilting and binding this one

and then I did a quick project and made this pillow cover.

It looks like it isn't square in the photo but I swear it is!

The center is free motion quilted with a meandering daisy design and the rest is just outline quilted and then over stitched with a large meander.

I am on a mission to start using up scraps and reduce the number of scrap bins I have stacked up in the studio. I have pieced two quick table runners and hope to get those quilted before the end of the week. My project for today is putting the binding an a commissioned baby quilt, getting it washed, dried and prepared for presentation.

Last week I was also a little distracted from sewing for another reason - a really good one but I am not going to share that until I have some photos. (I am such a tease!)